By Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani (Bono), Feb. 17, GNA-The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana has lauded the government decision to process 50 percent of cocoa beans in the country.
Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II, the President of the Association said processing and adding value to cocoa beans would greatly revitalize the cocoa sector.
His comments followed the recent cocoa producer price cut, and the government’s pronouncement of reforming and repositioning the cocoa sector to spur economic growth and development.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani, Nana Bonsu II praised the government for efforts to reform the coca sector, saying that value addition remained essential in transforming the cocoa sector.
He emphasised that adding value to the raw cocoa for export and domestic use would boost the consumption of cocoa products, and thereby widen the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Nana Bonsu II said the government plans to revive the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) as the leading processors in the country was also in the direction and welcoming.
He said that: “The Association has received reports that many farmers struggle to locate Licensed Purchasing Companies (LPCs)”, and indicated that “some LPCs have licenses, but don’t operate physical offices”.
Nana Bonsu II said that was making it extremely difficult for farmers to access the services of those LPCs, hoping that revamping the PBC would address the challenge.
“The Association also backs the proposed automatic producer price adjustment model, which seeks to align cocoa prices with global market trends and ensure farmers receive 70 percent of the world market price”, he stated.
Nonetheless, he was of the view that any increase in international prices or exchange rates ought to reflect “the same 70 percent share for farmers and any downward adjustments should maintain that proportionality to ensure fairness”.
Nana Bonsu called for sustained government support in ensuring that the Ghana Cocoa Board functioned effectively to enable the country to derive optimum benefits from the cocoa sector.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/George-Ramsey Benamba